THE EVENTS OF THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL HAVE THE MOST PROFOUND EFFECT UPON BILLERICAYTHAT ANY OF US ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE AND WILL SIGNIFICANTLY WORSEN THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS

What can you do?

If the Local Plan, as currently developed by Basildon Borough Council is approved, almost 3,000 new houses will be built in Billericay, a 25% increase on the current town. There is no plan to increase employment in Billericay or to significantly improve the supporting infrastructure of roads, railways, health services and schools. Almost every one of the new houses will be built on our Green Belt, which will be lost forever. Already busy roads across the town, not just in the new build areas, will suffer from even higher traffic loadings. And don’t be misled by the ‘homes for our children’ argument. Of course we need more houses across the country and of course we need more houses which can be purchased by the next generations. But hardly any of those to be built in Billericay will be in this category. We will be losing our Green Belt and the character of the town will be damaged whilst others protect theirs.The Local Plan has been developed by the borough council on which we have 9 elected councillors. Much of the plan was developed whilst the party to which they belong led the council and even after the balance of power changed some of those councillors and their party colleagues have voted for more building in our town.Residents of all ages have made their opposition to the plan known and have clearly stated their desire to maintain the character of our town and its Green Belt surroundings. So far those views have been ignored, and what is worse, the proposed level of new building and its impact has increased.BAG has not, and will not, indulge in the game of ‘don’t build it here, build it there’. We have consistently argued that the draft Local Plan in each of its incarnations is Bad for the Borough and Bad for Billericay. Too many new houses, not enough supporting infrastructure and wilful destruction of Green Belt in the pursuit of profit and political kudos. The latest version is an insult to the people of Billericay and a worrying reflection of the antics of those we elect, across the Borough, to represent us.

Here’s what can you do:

Let our elected representatives know what you feel. We elect 9 Borough Councillors in Billericay, 2 County Councillors and one MP. They are all keen to attract your votes at election time but seem less keen to represent your views in the intervening periods. Now is the time to remind them. Remember that 3 of our Borough Councillors will be seeking your votes to re-elect them in May.

You can write to them, their contact details are below, and you can meet Billericay’s Borough Councillors in person at their Surgeries, held on the last Saturday of each month in Billericay library, from 10.30 to 12.30.

Let the rest of the town, the borough and wider afield know what you think by contacting the media. You don’t have to be a budding Shakespeare, and most local publications are keen to get help to fill their pages.

Let your neighbours and friends across the town know what is about to happen. Remember, even if you don’t live next to one of the many proposed building sites you will still be affected by the impact of the new builds. The entire town will be affected by construction traffic during the building and afterwards when the new residents and their cars arrive. Remember the Plan covers a period of almost 20 years.

Make sure you respond when you are given the last opportunity to be Consulted before the Plan goes to the Planning Inspector for approval. We expect this consultation to be in April 2018. You won’t be able to comment on what is in the Plan, even though it will have changed out of all recognition to the one you last commented upon – isn’t democracy wonderful – but you will be able to comment on how sound the Plan is. We will help you when the time comes. More information is given elsewhere on this website.

Groups like BAG cannot significantly influence the activities of councils, their elected councillors and their unelected officers who prepare the plan. It is only residents who can do that. What BAG can do is to give you the information you need and the encouragement.

REMEMBER IT IS OUR TOWN, NOT THEIRS. DON’T LET THEM DESTROY IT AND WITH IT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE HERE NOW AND WILL LIVE HERE IN THE FUTURE.

Keep watching the BAG, BDRA and Billericay Society outlets for the latest information.

​But most important of all...

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

Elected Representatives in Billericay Basildon Councillors representing wards in Billericay: